Folded Sanitary Napkin With Wrapper-Free Wing Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging for absorbent articles like sanitary napkins, adult incontinence pads, and panty liners is environmentally unfriendly due to the use of petroleum-derived plastics, necessitating a more sustainable solution without compromising performance.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary napkin design that maintains its folded configuration using wings, eliminating the need for a plastic wrapper by employing adhesive layers and a release paper or liner made from cellulosic fibers with a peeling agent, allowing the wings to hold the absorbent core and other components in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional plastic wrappers are used to package absorbent articles, then the articles are protected and maintained in folded configuration, but the environmental impact increases due to petroleum-derived materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging protectionVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the external plastic wrapper entirely and extracts the folding maintenance function to be performed by the absorbent article's own wings. The wings are designed with adhesive properties to hold the article in folded configuration without requiring separate packaging material, thus eliminating petroleum-derived plastics while maintaining protection and folding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wings of the absorbent article serve multiple functions: they provide the traditional side protection and securing function, and simultaneously act as the folding maintenance mechanism that previously required a separate wrapper. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional packaging materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of substance

If plastic wrappers are removed to reduce environmental impact, then material usage decreases, but the ability to maintain folded configuration and protect the article may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidfolding maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article serves itself by using its own integrated wings with adhesive properties to maintain its folded configuration. The wings are designed to fold over the article and adhere to itself, creating a self-contained folded structure without requiring external packaging or additional materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wings are modified with adhesive properties (change in material parameter) that enable them to maintain the folded configuration. This parameter change allows the wings to function as both structural elements and fastening mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate wrapper materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the wings are designed to maintain folded configuration without wrappers, then the device complexity increases, but the environmental benefit is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidwing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wrapping function with the wing structure. The wings are designed to extend, fold over the article, and adhere to themselves or the article body, effectively combining the side protection function with the folding maintenance function that previously required a separate wrapper.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive layers are added to the wings for folding maintenance, then the folding stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied to the wings during manufacturing in advance, before the folding operation. This preliminary application of adhesive ensures that when the wings are folded during or after packaging, they will maintain the folded configuration without requiring additional assembly steps or complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces material usage, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining protection against contaminants and moisture, with optional reusable containers for travel, thus providing a sustainable packaging solution.

Implementation Method 1

each wing comprises an area of adhesive arranged on the side of the backsheet opposite to the absorbent core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a release paper or liner made from cellulosic fibers with a peeling agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeeling agent:

Data Source

PatentUS20250295530A1Folded sanitary napkin

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 ONTEX BV

AI summary

The present disclosure pertains to a sanitary napkin (10) comprisinga topsheet (14),a backsheet (16),an absorbent core (12) arranged between said topsheet (14) and backsheet (16), andtwo wings (24),wherein the sanitary napkin is arranged in a folded configuration such that the absorbent core is maintained in said folded configuration by the wings (24).